Hello Everyone! It has been well over a year since I have posted to this blog, and for that I’m not sure if I want to apologize. We all know that people get so caught up in their own lives, that it can be sometimes difficult to keep up with others.

For the past year, I have been living in Austin TX working at HostGator as a Security Administrator. I have truly enjoyed working at HostGator, and have benefited from it more than I could have asked to. My last day at HostGator is on the 23rd (This Thursday), as I pursue other opportunities in my life. (More below.)

HostGator

I am about to embark on one of the largest adventures so far in my life, as I have accepted a new position in Los Angeles, California working at Dreamhost as a Systems Administrator. I’m really excited about this, and I feel confident that I am ready to take on any challenges I may encounter.

Dreamhost - My New Employer in Los Angeles California

I’ve also recently adopted a puppy, named JJ. He is a Lab/Retriever mix, and he’s a bundle of fun.

JJ

I’m sort of ready for the drive to LA, not entirely looking forward to the 20 hour drive, but we shall see how I do.

I’ve always wanted to help people. I’ve had this desire to create or manage a project, business, or idea and be able to run with it, and watch it become the perfect “thing”. That’s what drove me to start my own web hosting business in 2004. I wanted to offer people affordable solutions, at a great price, but still be as awesome as the more expensive alternatives.

Why web hosting? The internet is obviously the now. It’s not the “future”, it is the future as much as it is the now. People need access to information, web sites, games, whatever may be online and they need it now. I want to be a part of that and that’s what drives me.

I want to be a part of this internet revolution, and at the end be able to be a part of it. Helping people, and businesses, while helping myself at the same time is the absolute dream. It’s why I chose to work at Rackspace, that’s why I started InvisionGaming in 2004, and it’s what I want to do with my career. It’s what I’m doing now! Along with web design, printing, and more.

I love developing (Primarily PHP), I love administrating and solving problems (Systems Administration) and that’s a big part of what I do. I want to be useful, and I use the word I very carefully, as it’s obviously an combined effort of multiple people.

I want to go out there, build applications, make people’s lives easier, and not have to trash their or my wallet while I do it.

Sometimes starting a web hosting company can be difficult, in todays economy with so many choices. Sure you can go to GoDaddy, or Bluehost, or any of those and get a similar product for $5 a month. “Unlimited Disk Space”, bandwidth, and more.

I thought we were told, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Right?

I offer the world: Me. The Kyle Experience. Let me wow you, let me help you, and let’s grow together. If I only get and or help 10 customers, then those are 10 people who I’ve had a positive impact on. Sure is better than doing nothing whatsoever, isn’t it? I’m not trying to compete with Rackspace, Bluehost, or Godaddy, I’m simply trying to help people, and just happen to be in direct competition with the interests of said listed companies.

Rather than focusing on making other companies look bad, or fishing for their customers, I respect each and every one, and what they do. We’re in this business together, trying to help people. I do, however, believe some companies like GoDaddy are forgetting the customer, and focusing more on the bottom line, but that seems to be a popular trend.

This is why I do what I do, and that’s why I’ve jumped right back into the game with Custom Hosting Solutions. I guess it means that we are your “mom and pop” shop, where you get the same features, but the customer service is just great. I want to interact with my customers, let’s follow each other on twitter, let’s add each other to our google talk.

So, I’ve been looking at cars obviously, and getting my license (They go hand in hand, right?) So, what I have come up with is a 2006 Kia Spectra EX. I won’t bore you with too many details,

Here are the key points:

$3500 Down Payment

$250/month Car Payment (That’s because of a 22% Interest rate! Being 18 without credit sucks)

$350/month Insurance Payment

It’s only had one owner, the carfax was great, it’s a reliable car.

Basically, I am pretty sure I am going to get it. It’s going to absolutely suck having to pay that much money every month, but the reason I want to finance a car and not just buy one is that I want to build credit. That sounds very adult of me…I know. But, it’s a scary world out there, and let’s face it, I do need to build credit and the sooner I start, the better right?

In other news, I LOVE my job. It’s just beyond words amazing. The people, the work, solving problems, the culture. It’s just great, I am so lucky to have this job.

OH, also. I bought a Flip UltraHD…but I don’t want to point out where the channel is because I plan on being silly and highly unprofessional. It’s for fun. (Email me if interested ;])

This week I have been doing Rookie-O (Rookie Orientation) at RackSpace’s Datapoint office. Basically they give us an overview of the whole company, and how to essentially be a Racker. It’s pretty awesome, although I do miss doing my work.

Some people might ask, what’s the definition of being Fanatical? Google defines it as:

fanatic: marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea; “rabid isolationist”

So that’s the definition of a fanatic…so I guess, here at RackSpace sometimes we know when were being fanatical, that’s the great part about it. We push ourselves, and are aware of it when we do. In this way we can sort of “check up on” ourselves, and see if we are living up to the word. So here is my Fanatical story:

Laying in bed.

Can’t fall asleep, starting Rookie-O the next morning. (It’s Midnight at this time)

Search twitter for “RackSpace” on my phone

See unhappy customer

Tweet customer that will look into issue

Go downstairs with laptop so I don’t wake anybody up

Solve issue

Go back to bed (It’s 1:30 AM at this point)

Accomplished, warm fuzzy feeling of having helped someone is happening.

That’s right! I won a twitter contest, to get 4 VIP passes to Sea World San Antonio (Some Details) (Thanks @jackreturns !) and I could not be more excited! I am supposed to be working second shift (12-9 PM) that day at work, but hopefully my boss let’s me work morning shift that day and leave a little early (skip lunch and whatnot!)

The great place I work at!

Speaking of work, I’m sure everyone is wondering just how new job @ the RackSpace Cloud is going! Well I have to say I think I am in a dream world, because it is everything I thought it would be (and more), and it’s just simply amazing. Everybody I work with is awesome, and they have a lot to offer as far as me learning things from them. I got my desk this Monday, which was nice to get set up in. Quentin says I have too many monitors setup. [PIC] What do you all think? =P. A lot of people ask “What is your work place like? Do you have a cubicle? Are the people friendly?” I have decided that this is the best option: View the video on this page

I am currently trying to figure out what I am going to do, as far as a living situation. I may room with another Racker, or have to get my own APPT (Which at this point, seems unlikely…because it’s a huge expense and I really just need a place to sleep, at least for now), or stay with Quentin for a little while longer. All of this depends, of course, on if I can get my license/a car soon. I am going to the DPS (Department of Public Safety) tomorrow to try and do that.

Wish me luck internet, and I’ll attempt to keep this blog more updated!

(By the way, nobody noticed because I made the transition so smooth, and probably no one reads my blog anyways, but my blog is now hosted on Cloud Sites, which is where it’ll stay. No more hosting it on my own private servers. It makes more sense to put it on Cloud Sites. For more information on cloud sites check out http://www.RackSpaceCloud.com/)